Can-opener.



' H. T. LEAR.

CAN OPENER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV- 20. ms.

1,187,347. Patented June 13, 1916.

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Svweutoz attozueg FFTQE.

HARRY T. LEAR, OF WEST CHESTER, PENNSYLVANIA.

CAN-OPENER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 13, 1916.

Application filed November 20, 1915. Serial No. 62,614.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY T. LEAR, a citizen of the United States, residing at Vest Chester, in the county of Chester and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Can-Openers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to can openers and has for its principal object to provide a device of this character which is so constructed and operated so as to entirely eliminate the usual danger to which the operator is subjected when opening cans.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device of this character which will remove the top of the can close to the edge, the blade being of such a construction as to press down the ragged edge remaining upon the can smoothly and neatly.

Another object of my invention is to pro vide a device of this character which is simple, durable and eificient in its construction and which may be manufactured at a nominal cost.

Further objects of the invention will appear as the following specific description is read in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this applica tion in which Figure l is a side elevation of my device showing the same secured to any suitable support. Fig. 2 is a top plan View of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings in detail, 1 designates an annular base which is preferably formed of cast iron and which is reinforced by the bars 2. Formed upon the periphery of the base is a substantially V -shaped extension 3 which is provided with upstanding flanges 4c, the flanges continuing around the periphery of the base as at 5. It will be noted that the flanges upon the base are of lesser height than that upon the I extension, the flanges upon the extension being inclined upwardly from the base to form a more substantial support for the extension. The fiange 5 upon the base is of such a height as to confine the can to be out upon the base as will be described hereinafter. Formed integrally with the extension 3 and upstanding therefrom is an arm 6 which is rectangular in cross section and which has one of its edges disposed tangential to the base. To adjustably accommodate the operating lever 7 the arm is provided with a series of spaced transversely extending perforations 8. Preferably mounted within one of the perforations 8 is one extremity of the operating lever 7, the lever being secured to the arm by means of the bolt 9 which is provided with the usual thumb nut 10, the end of the lever being arranged upon the bolt and disposed between the head of the bolt and the arm. The free extremity of the operating lever is provided with a reduced portion 11 forming a shoulder 12. This portion is adapted to receive a handle 13 and the shoulder serving to limit the forward movement of the handle upon the lever, The operating lever is bent at its medial portion as at 14 in the form of an arc, the lower edge of the bent portion provided with a depending extension 15 which is of a similar curvature, the lower edge of the extension being inclined downwardly from the medial portion thereof to the outer edge of the extension to produce the point 17. The lower edge of the extension is beveled upon the opposite sides thereof to provide a cutting edge 18. The top of the can is placed upon the base 1 so as to dispose the upper edge of the can between the cutting blade. Owing to the fact that the arm 6 is arranged at a tension to the base, the cutting blade will be disposed and will engage the can adjacent its periphery whereby upon pulling the operating lever downwardly the point 17 will be forced through the top of the can. Upon exerting further downward pressure upon the operating lever, the blade will be forced downwardly so as to dispose the inclined edge thereof at right angles to the top of the can. The blade having been inserted through the can the same is then rotated upon the base 1, the flanges formed on the base confining the can upon the base and preventing displacement thereof. It is to be understood that the operator should work the operating lever with the right hand and slowly rotate the can with the left, it being understood that the base can be readily secured to any suitable support by means of screws or the like. When it isdesired to open cans of different heights, by providing the upstanding arm 6 with perforations, the operating lever may be placed within the desired perforation so that the lever will be disposed substantially at right angles to the top of the can and permit ready insertion of the blade therein. It is thought that the construction and the operation of this device is apparent to those skilled in the art with out further description, and that Vminor changes in the size, shape, proportion, and minor features of the construction may be made Without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claim.

What I claim is V A can opener comprising a base, an upstanding flange formed on said base, a portion of said flange being circular, the remaining portion converging tangentially from the circular portion, the converging portion being of a greater height than the circular portion, an arm upstanding from the converging portion of said flange, a lever pivotally mounted upon said arm and adapted to overlie said base, and an arcuate shaped blade formed on said arm and depending therefrom, said blade having a tapered extension formed at the lower edge thereof.

In testimony whereof I afiiX my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

HARRY T. LEAR. Vfitnesses ALEXANDER P. THOMPSON, Joe. B. Cosenrrr.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. C. 

